As August, the traditional lean month for salmon anglers, draws to a close, there are hopes of an improvement in fortunes in the coming weeks.   It has been a relatively quiet period on the Moy, both in terms of angling effort and catch reports, yet the system recorded a catch of 157 for the week, bringing the annual reported catch total to 7,877 salmon.

Just one fish was taken on the Moy Fishery, a fly caught grilse for Michael Keenan, N.Ireland, on the Ridge Pool. The lower and mid Moy fisheries fished reasonably well for the time of year, with all recording some catches. Among those to have success in this area were Stefan and Debbie Spiess, Switzerland, who had one grilse each on worm at Coolcronan, while John Logan, Co. Dublin, landed an 8lbs fish at the Foxford Fishery.

The upstream fisheries also had a relatively slow week, with Cloongee recording 7 fish and the East Mayo Anglers’ water yielding 10. At Cloongee, Martin Laverty, N.Ireland, had one of 5lbs while spinning and at East Mayo, Reggie Bishop, U.K. had two grilse at 4lbs, one spinning and the other taken on the worm. Michael Marco, Luxembourg, also had success at East Mayo, with a grilse while fishing the worm.

Anglers are reminded that from the 1st September, the daily bag limit drops to one salmon or sea trout over 40cm. The River Deel will also close to anglers from the 1st September.